"Treasure Island" adapted by Mickey Morgan (14-17 Oct 2015)
Poster
As the 18th century drew to a close a generation of bold young men set sail from the ports of southern England, bent on a life of adventure, loot.... and bloody murder. The most of infamous of these was Captain Flint, who for years reigned terror upon the merchants of the Spanish Main.
Now, long after his death, his bloodthirsty crew scattered to the winds; rumours persist of a fabulous treasure - 'Flint’s fist' - buried in secret upon a lonely island. And somewhere, somewhere.... there is a map. "If this don't get 'em, kids have gone rotten since my day" R.L. Stevenson €~€~€~€~€~€~ Director’s Notes It's a risky and perhaps rare opportunity to take such a well-loved play, then give it a darker twist, nay nudge at our modern anxiety, for those we must surely care for the most - children. Keeping to the original script, I'll guess neither Robert Louis Stevenson nor Malcolm Morgan ever imagined how this great story could resonate so much today. I promise you, no child was hurt in the making of this production... But the parrot, the parrot, it had to go! Please enjoy - good will over-come! Adrian €~€~€~€~€~€~ About the Author My father, Malcolm Morgan (known to friends and family as Mickey - don't ask!) was initially approached way back in 1953 by Heinemann Educational to adapt and abridge this classic tale for the stage. He dictated the original draft to a stenographer over the course of three days and, after remarkably few amendments, the play was published in 1954. In the following years it became the standard version for youth theatre, amateur dramatic and school productions throughout the UK, and has been performed by dozens of companies, hundreds of times - and Malcolm, whenever possible, endeavoured to see each and every production at least once. In a professional touring production in the mid-fifties, Malcolm played both Blind Pew and Captain Smollett himself. Copyright lapsed in 2014 and for many years prior to this, the royalties (not entirely inconsiderable due to the adaptation’s enduring success) were donated to the National Children’s Theatre for which he has received their acknowledgment and thanks. Malcolm would like to thank St. Michael’s Players for the signal honour of their selecting 'Treasure Island' for performance during their 65th anniversary year. Simon Morgan London, October 2015 |
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What They Said |
"Tonight... Just down the street the local Amateur dramatics, St Michael's Players presented Treasure Island. Well impressed guys! Loved a Midsummers Night Dream a few months ago, and once again you served up a treat! Thank you and bravo!!!!" Leslie Ann S |
Programme |
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Cast'Captain' Billy Bones (Adrian Ellis)
Jim Hawkins (Leo Hammond) Dr Livesey (Paul Smith) Mrs Hawkins (Bryony Wilman) Black Dog (Harry Doyle) Blind Pew (Adam Richardson) Tom Morgan (Mick Cawson) Squire Trelawney (Mervyn Jupe) Long John Silver (Simon Morgan) Mrs Trefuddle (Elizabeth Ollier) Mrs McGrew (Yolanda Cooper) Captain Smollett (Oliver Yule-Smith) Ben Gunn (Dave Lye) Understudy to Jim Hawkins (James Makin) |
CrewDirector and Conceptual Design (Adrian Ellis)
Producer & Assistant Director (George Atkinson) Production Design (Marc Pearce) Production Co-ordinator (Madeleine Hazard) Construction Crew (Marios Papadakis, Dave Lye, Paul Tomkinson, Richard Wade) Original Music Composed by (Simon Morgan) Make-up (Teena Heer) Stage Manager (Jane Atkinson) Stage Crew (Members of the Cast) Lead Safeguarding Chaperones (Jo Harry, Adrian Ellis) Prompt (Jo Harry) Front of House (Members & Friends of St Michael's Players) |
